Cave of the Apocalypse

The Cave of the Apocalypse, is situated between Skala and Chora. It is the place where the voice of God was heard and is considered to be the first hermitage on Patmos island. The view from this cave and the mysticism of the atmosphere is incredible.

Today, a pilgrim can see the place at which the Apocalypse was written, the place where St. John stayed, the massive rock that opened up in there and through which God dictated the Apocalypse to St. John, the point were the Evangelist lay his head to rest and a curve on the rock, which he would hold onto, in order to rise - the southern part of the cave has been turned into a church.

Contents

History

In this Holy cave, a little church was also built to honour the translation (metastasis) of the Evangelist, St. John (honoured every year September 26). Later, in the time of St. Christodoulos (1088), another little church was added to honour St. Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary.

With the passing of time, the chain of hermits at the Cave, have contributed to the addition of cells and little churches around the Cave forming the current building structure in the region today.

Also, near the grounds, are buildings dedicated to the school of the Nation of Patmos, founded in 1713 by the deaconMakarios (Kalogeras). There are also small churches dedicated to St. John, St. Anna, St. Artemios and St. Nicholas.

Hermits of the Cave

World Heritage Classification, UNESCO

Date of Inscription - 1999

Reference No. 942

Criteria: (iii), (iv) and (vi)

(iii) - The town of Chorá on the island of Pátmos is one of the few settlements in Greece that have evolved uninterruptedly since the 12th century. There are few other places in the world where religious ceremonies that date back to the early Christian times are still being practised unchanged. [2]

(iv) - The Monastery of Hagios Ioannis Theologos (Saint John the Theologian) and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the island of Pátmos, together with the associated medieval settlement of Chorá, constitute an exceptional example of a traditional Greek Orthodox pilgrimage centre of outstanding architectural interest. [3]

(vi) - The Monastery of Hagios Ioannis Theologos and the Cave of the Apocalypse commemorate the site where St John the Theologian (Divine), the “Beloved Disciple”, composed two of the most sacred Christian works, his Gospel and the Apocalypse. [4][5]

References

↑ the Brevium of the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Theologian - a documentary book about the life of the monastery beginning from 1552 to the present day. In this book, information recorded includes registration of deaths of the monks from 1552 onwards.

↑ Note on Criterion (iv) - A delegate of Thailand raised the question of eligibility of criterion (vi). He thought that the criterion should be applied. This recommendation was also endorsed by ICOMOS and the Committee. Delegates and observers commended the high values of the site and decided to keep the criterion.